NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB vs AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
Detailed gaming performance comparison
Reference CPU: Intel Core i5-13400
We compare the GTX 1060 3GB and the RX 6500 XT with real FPS across the most popular games at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, plus specs, launch price and AI upscaling support (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). See at a glance which is better for your resolution and budget.
The RX 6500 XT is ~14% faster than the GTX 1060 3GB on average at 1080p.
GTX 1060 3GB
- Index (1080p)
- 20/100
- VRAM
- 3 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $199 · ≈ €183
- Upscaling
- FSR
RX 6500 XT
- Index (1080p)
- 22/100
- VRAM
- 4 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- $199 · ≈ €183
- Upscaling
- FSR
Average FPS by resolution
Estimated average FPS for each graphics card across the most popular games. The gap usually shows at 1080p and 1440p; at 4K both lose smoothness and upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps.
| Resolution | GTX 1060 3GB | RX 6500 XT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 22 | 25 | +14% |
| 1440p | 14 | 14 | = |
| 4K | 5 | 5 | = |
Specifications
Side-by-side specs of the GTX 1060 3GB and RX 6500 XT: VRAM, power draw (TDP), performance index and launch price. The better value in each row is highlighted in blue.
| Spec | GTX 1060 3GB | RX 6500 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | NVIDIA | AMD |
| VRAM | 3 GB | 4 GB |
| TDP | 120W | 107W |
| Tier | Entry-level | Entry-level |
| Score 1080p | 20 | 22 |
| Score 1440p | 14 | 14 |
| Score 4K | 7 | 6 |
| Price (MSRP) | $199 | $199 |
Gaming Performance
Per-game FPS detail at 1080p Ultra. The graphics card that wins each title is highlighted in blue.
| Game | GTX 1060 3GB | RX 6500 XT | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | 23FPS | 26FPS | RX 6500 XT |
| Grand Theft Auto VI | 18FPS | 20FPS | RX 6500 XT |
| Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra | 22FPS | 25FPS | RX 6500 XT |
| Marathon | 22FPS | 25FPS | RX 6500 XT |
| Gears of War: E-Day | 20FPS | 22FPS | RX 6500 XT |
| Onimusha: Way of the Sword | 24FPS | 27FPS | RX 6500 XT |
| Phantom Blade Zero | 22FPS | 25FPS | RX 6500 XT |
| 007 First Light | 22FPS | 25FPS | RX 6500 XT |
| The Blood of Dawnwalker | 19FPS | 21FPS | RX 6500 XT |
| Pathologic 3 | 28FPS | 30FPS | RX 6500 XT |
Verdict
AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT wins in 10 out of 10 games
We recommend AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT as the best option for gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions when comparing the GTX 1060 3GB with the RX 6500 XT.
Which is better, the GTX 1060 3GB or the RX 6500 XT?
On average at 1080p, the RX 6500 XT is 14% faster than the GTX 1060 3GB. The best one for you depends on your resolution, budget and whether you prioritise ray tracing or price.
Which is better at 4K?
At 4K Ultra, the GTX 1060 3GB averages 5 FPS and the RX 6500 XT 5 FPS across the most popular games. For smooth 4K, enabling upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps on both.
Is it worth paying more for the faster one?
At 1080p or 1440p the FPS gap may not justify the extra cost; at 4K or with ray tracing the faster card matters more. Check the by-resolution table to decide.
Which has better ray tracing and upscaling?
AI upscaling (DLSS on NVIDIA, FSR on AMD, XeSS on Intel) raises FPS on both; for ray tracing, GeForce RTX cards usually lead. See each card’s support above.
How big is the FPS difference between them?
On average across top games, the gap is around 14% at 1080p. At higher resolutions (1440p and 4K) the relative difference usually stays similar.